Philosophical Writings

Author(s): Hemant Shah
Publisher: Academy of Philosophy

Page 34

Freedom Obligations and Rights: A Jaina Perspective
15
The fifth and last, but by no means the least important, is brahmacarya (literally, celibacy, but also chasteness or sexual restraint). Sexual activity by involving passions injures the soul and thus harms the potentials of the soul, but it also can harm the general morality of the society. The importance of loyalty to one's spouse has been strongly emphasized as an obligation toward society, the family and the children. Brahmacarya does not pertain to sexual desire only but desire in all its forms.
In Jainism, over and above these five great vows, there are many 'sub-vows / daily-duties' and 'rules' prescribed as one's obligation for himself as well as for society. These obligations are there only as long as limited freedom is there, i.e. before one has attained moksha. On attaining unlimited or absolute freedom the obligations drop out. In order to fulfill these obligations, freedom is necessary and Jainas have thus positioned a limited freedom for their discharge.
Obligations and rights are interlinked: two sides of the same coin. If rights are there, obligations will automatically arise and vice versa. Rights, according to Jainism, do arise out of karma as well as in relation to obligations. Jainism thus offers a full scope of obligations and rights and the freedom to fulfill them. These obligations and rights help an individual in his spiritual development and his effort to go higher and higher toward absolute freedom. They also help to restore certainty and security to the society. The obligations discharged by individuals keep the society peaceful and organized.
It is the uniqueness of Jaina philosophy that the soul has no obligations or rights in its state of liberation. They obtain only in the empirical world (sansara) where the soul has limited freedom. A true Jaina has to rely on himself for his uplift, spiritual or social. He is not dependent on anybody's obligation for his spiritual progress. The ultimate obligation of Jivatma is toward its own complete spiritual development which would bring an end to obligations.